22 Apr Making alcohol-free beverages better: could CBD help?
For many, alcohol-free beer or spirits is a redundant concept - they just don't taste or feel right. Does CBD have the potential to remedy this issue for consumers?
02 Apr Kerry’s South African flavour chart 2020
As a global leader in taste and nutrition, Kerry Ingredients looks to discover and translate taste trends, and this year has released the 2020 Kerry Taste Charts for South Africa, including local beverage flavour trends. [A fabulous resource! Ed]
11 Mar Why young people are drinking less – and what older drinkers can learn from them
Young people are drinking less than ever before. Some reading this will be able to recall the 1990s – the decade of peak alcohol, when drinking was a key part of life for young people.
03 Mar No soft beverage category is safe from alcohol
Big alcohol brands are following, not leading. And where they are headed is alternative drink categories, many of them “hard” versions of non-alcoholic beverages.
01 Mar Coca-Cola’s new focus on ‘breakthrough beverages’
Coca-Cola North America is launching “breakthrough beverages” in emerging categories – including kombuchas with less sugar, cultured ciders, keto-friendly smoothies and cold-brew coffees – in record time.
27 Feb Mintel: two key 2020 packaging trends
Mintel, expert in what consumers want and why, believes there are two key 2020 packaging trends set to transform the global packaging landscape in the year/s ahead.
20 Feb Craft beer going corporate: sell out or survive?
The craft beer bubble hasn't quite burst, but it is beginning to look as if it's being stretched to its limit. As more big brands buy into the trend, this article looks at the implication of craft beer going corporate.
09 Feb Savvy Dry January campaign from Heineken
Heineken came up with a great marketing campaign in the US to help millions of Americans stick to their resolution to take part in Dry January 2020.
28 Jan US: The meteoric rise of hard seltzer
Hard seltzer - alcoholic sparkling water - is an unknown concept in a regular South African's beverage universe, but this cheap, low-cal, gender-neutral canned cocktail is proving to be one of the hottest growth categories in the US.
27 Jan Waves of change in soft drinks choice
Over the past 10 to 20 years, the ripples of change in the global soft drinks market have threatened to become tidal waves, with new categories emerging constantly and genuine novelty flooding the shelves.
13 Jan Four SA wine trends to look out for in 2020
As we start another year (yup, when did that happen?!), it's time to reflect on the current trends within the wine industry. From both a micro and macro perspective, times are certainly a-changin'.
21 Dec Dairy alternatives diversify as the consumer base evolves
‘The Plant Based Revolution’ is number two of the Top 10 Trends highlighted by Innova Market Insights for 2020 - and the dairy alternatives category represents a key battlefront in this consumer-driven revolt.
10 Dec Mintel announces Global Food and Drink Trends for 2030
Mintel, the experts in "what consumers want and why", has announced three key trends that will shape the global food, drink, and foodservice industries over the next 10 years....
09 Dec Coke branding confusion irks consumers
Coca-Cola is running into trouble with people angry about accidentally buying a zero-sugar or reduced-sugar version of Coke instead of the original, because the packaging is so similar.
09 Dec Flavour of 2020? Has to be Classic Blueberry, says Firmenich
The world's biggest flavour company, Firmenich, has hailed “Classic Blueberry” as its flavour of the year for 2020 - citing the fruit’s longstanding association with wellbeing and its role in ushering a new wave of F&B options for global consumers.
08 Dec New wave coffee
Cafes are reinventing the conventional cup of coffee with unique flavour profiles and considered presentations.
20 Nov How a Swedish oat milk brand went ballistic in the US
Oatly is milk made from oats, and ticked along nicely for about two decades in Sweden. In 2012, the oat milk company brought in a new CEO, Toni Petersson, with a radical new vision for the brand and with a new look and a tasty product, Oatly set its sights on America.
18 Nov Sugar reduction hits the sweet spot
With sugar reduction a central topic in the media and among consumers, opportunities for reducing sugar intake are taking a number of directions as companies address evolving concerns and demands, says Innova Market Insights.
04 Nov Comment: Gin boom turning to boredom?
As new gin brands are unveiled almost by the hour, we within the drinks industry could justifiably be growing somewhat tired of it all. Interesting take on the gin trend's waxing or waning...
31 Oct Lessons from wine for Big Food
The wine industry shows how eco-friendly production can benefit both companies and consumers.